FLINT, MI -- Flint City Councilman Delrico Loyd announced he's resigning from his north side Flint City Council seat, citing increased professional responsibility and tragedy in his personal life.

Loyd, 27, who made a name for himself as the youngest serving Flint City Council member when he was appointed in 2008, said his job responsibilities have grown since he was promoted to be an international service representative for UAW Region 1-C in September 2010.

He plans to submit his letter of resignation to the council president on Thursday, he said.

Over the last year, Loyd has also seen many changes in his personal life. He was married in July and recently accepted a position as associate pastor of his church.

He also has dealt with the deaths of many family members, including the homicide of his half-brother in Detroit and the death of his adoptive grandmother, who was also once his foster mother.

"With all the
transition and change in my life, it's time to focus on myself and focus on my
family," he said, flanked by supporters at a podium in the sanctuary of his church, North Star Missionary Baptist Church. "To focus on
recuperating with my family and then readjusting for the service that God has
in store for me."

The Flint City Council will need to appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Loyd's term, which ends in November 2013, he said. Loyd said he plans to recommend a replacement, but declined to name the individual today.

Loyd was first appointed to the 1st Ward council seat in 2008, when he became the youngest serving council person in Flint history. He was elected twice to the seat and was named council president at age 24 by his colleagues on the council. He served as president for one year.

Loyd said his time on council has been a "joyful journey" filled with "major challenges," including the appointment of an emergency manager in Flint, and "major successes," such as the demolition of 200 vacant houses in his ward and the repaving of Carpenter Road and other streets.

He said he would consider running for elected office in the future.

"This is not the end of Delrico Loyd," he said, adding that he's proud of his time in office. "No politician makes everybody happy and no person makes all the right decisions."

Loyd addressed a rumor that he no longer lives in his ward, saying that it's not true. He said his wife owns a house in the 8th Ward, but he still lives in the 1st Ward house he owns next door to his mother.

"It's difficult going back and forth," he said. "But that is where I live."

Loyd said they're still evaluating where they plan to make their permanent home.

Loyd was born in Detroit and was adopted by his Flint family at age 7. He graduated from Flint Northwestern High School.

For more on this developing story, visit www.mlive.com/flint this evening.